Apparatus and process for enhanced feed atomization

Abstract

A process and apparatus for atomizing a fluid is disclosed herein. The fluid is mixed with an atomizing fluid in a plurality of locations and passed through a nozzle.

1. A FCC feed injector comprising:
 (a) a feed inlet;  
 (b) a first atomizing fluid inlet;  
 (c) a second atomizing fluid inlet;  
 (d) an external sparger in fluid communication with the feed inlet and the first atomizing fluid inlet, the external sparger configured to define a first mixing zone;  
 (e) a second mixing zone in fluid communication with the second atomizing fluid inlet and the first mixing zone, the second mixing zone configured to receive the FCC feed/atomizing fluid mixture from the first mixing zone and promote mixing between the mixture from the first mixing zone and a second atomizing fluid; and,  
 (f) a feed nozzle in fluid communication with the second mixing zone, the nozzle configured to pass the FCC feed/atomizing fluid into the riser reaction zone in a predetermined spray pattern.  
 
     
     
       2. The injector according to  claim 1  wherein the second mixing zone comprises an internal sparger, an external sparger, or a mixing tee. 
     
     
       3. The injector according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second mixing zones at least partially overlap. 
     
     
       4. The injector according to  claim 1  wherein the second mixing zone is positioned downstream from the first mixing zone. 
     
     
       5. The injector according to  claim 1  wherein feed nozzle is positioned less than about 15 internal pipe diameters downstream from the second mixing zone. 
     
     
       6. The injector according to  claim 1  wherein the second mixing zone is positioned less than about 50 internal pipe diameters downstream from the first mixing zone. 
     
     
       7. The injector according to  claim 2  wherein the first and second mixing zones at least partially overlap. 
     
     
       8. The injector according to  claim 2  wherein the second mixing zone is positioned downstream from the first mixing zone. 
     
     
       9. A FCC feed injector comprising:
 (a) a feed inlet;  
 (b) a first atomizing fluid inlet;  
 (c) a second atomizing fluid inlet;  
 (d) a mixing tee in fluid communication with the feed inlet and the first atomizing fluid inlet, the mixing tee configured to define a first mixing zone;  
 (e) a second mixing zone comprising an external sparger, said second mixing zone in fluid communication with the second atomizing fluid inlet and the first mixing zone, the second mixing zone configured to receive the FCC feed/atomizing fluid mixture from the first mixing zone and promote mixing between the mixture from the first mixing zone and a second atomizing fluid; and,  
 (f) a feed nozzle in fluid communication with the second mixing zone, the nozzle configured to pass the FCC feed/atomizing fluid into the riser reaction zone in a predetermined spray pattern.  
 
     
     
       10. The injector according to  claim 9  wherein the first and second mixing zones at least partially overlap. 
     
     
       11. The injector according to  claim 9  wherein the second mixing zone is positioned downstream from the first mixing zone. 
     
     
       12. The injector according to  claim 9  wherein feed nozzle is positioned less than about 15 internal pipe diameters downstream from the second mixing zone. 
     
     
       13. The injector according to  claim 9  wherein the second mixing zone is positioned less than about 50 internal pipe diameters downstream from the first mixing zone. 
     
     
       14. injector according to  claim 9  wherein the first and second mixing zones at least partially overlap. 
     
     
       15. The injector according to  claim 9  wherein the second mixing zone is positioned downstream from the first mixing zone.